TOPIC:

While I have never experienced this, I can see the increased potential for roll using a swivel. I would tend to think its small though as the force taken to twist the line a number of wraps is very small albeit more than a swivel.. Ultimately it depends on construction of the bait, line stiffness, and trolling speed. Faster and stiffer line = more likely. This is most likely to happen when you are pushing the speed limits for the bait in which case it becomes erratic.

Good point to keep in mind. Keep an eye on your baits.

Probably the bigger issue with using snap swivels (especially larger swivels) is the the dang thing getting hung up in your trebles due to weight. If you use a large snap swivel and deploy fast you may end up with the swivel / line in your trebles and never know it until you pull it. This happened to me once in a while before I switched to the Spro's. I also learned to watch the rod tip for the proper bounce / thump of that body bait - this should be the first alert that something is not right.

Also a body bait that's not tuned right will really roll easier. A properly tuned bait should run true but higher speeds can contribute to roll

Very true. Alot of baits are tuned like crap out of the box.

Or after catching a fish. If that wire gets bent, there is a great deal of side effects to the bait.

Also, tuning a bait is one of the more overlooked things an angler can do to catch more fish. Many guys just throw them on straight out of the box.

Getting back to the topic at hand - It is my perception, without scientific study, that spoon manufacturers that produce heavier spoons tend to use split rings. Those that make lighter weight spoons tend to supply them with no split rings. This is my "general" observation. To me this is because the freedom of the ring allows the baits more action, where the lighter spoons do not require it, especially at slow speeds. Thoughts?

I've never paid to much attention to the construction of my spoons that had split rings. In my head I attributed the use of a split ring to manufacturing costs. I don't think any of my moonshine or little Cleo casting spoons have rings. Not trolling spoons though.

Maybe a good winter project, construct a laminar flow tank and measure the angular deflection of various mfg's spoon with an without rings at various velocities. Would be interesting to see the results. A good exercise for wintertime boredom. The one thing we dont know for sure is exactly what triggers the fish on a day to day basis. Sometimes more, sometimes less, so maybe its fruitless.

Another thought is a large snap swivel (and a split ring up front) help balance, or level a spoon horizontally (counter the weight of the hook at rear).
Its difficult to see when looking down at a spoon, but nearly all trolling spoons dangle at a rearward angle at typical trolling speeds. Hardly the way baitfish travel, if that matters.
I like No.3 Dreamweaver ball bearing with snap. which most anglers think is overkill, but they're easier to use than small snaps and are effective with all spoons, including the smaller stuff like standard Stingers and Super Slims.

Good point. I would think a spoon would have more action if its rear end was down and front up a bit. There would be more hydrodynamic force on the cup of the spoon causing increased displacement in the water. Picture an airplane landing. Seems like the spoon would have better action, especially at slower speeds. I never really thought of it this way until now.

I dont know what would be better - interesting thoughts though, both ways.

The catch 22 is more action is not necessarily better. Like on days when longer fly leaders are hot or sometimes it's only the flies that are torn up and have a few tinsel strands left.

Pay attention to the small details of what is getting bit on any particular day and you will catch more fish.